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Author
Topic: A couple of questions... (Read 12412 times)

Firstly i'd lik to say from reading your forums amongst others has provided me with some support over the last few months.

Here's my situation:

Gay male UK in a relationship never had unproteced anal sex.

JULY - AUGUST 2006Gave unprotected Oral sex to an anonymous guy without ejaculation.

SEPTEMBER 11TH 2006Hiv Antibody Test 1&2 as well as P24 (ALL NEGATIVE)

OCTOBER 17TH 2006Hiv Antibody Test 1&2 as well as P24 (ALL NEGATIVE)Also had full STD sceen everything NegativeDecided to get vaccianted against HEP A&B

NOVEMBER 22ND 2006Hiv Antibody Test 1&2 as well as P24 (ALL NEGATIVE)

JANUARY 2ND 2007Hiv Antibody Test 1&2 as well as P24 (ALL NEGATIVE)

My problem is that since early October i have had swollen glands in my groin (CONFIRMED BY A DOCTOR) and now i think i have 2 swollen glands on the side of my neck and near my clavicle (Will speak to a doctor regarding these).

I'm not sure if i need anymore testing as if you take the last test from the 1st it's been 16 weeks.

You definitively have tested negative for HIV. You do not have HIV. Keep those hands off your lymph nodes--poking and prodding them can make them swell. Plus, swollen lymph nodes is by no means a specific symptom for HIV--a whole multitude of things can cause swollen lymph nodes. The bottom line is: HIV is definitely not your problem, but if you still have health concerns, go see a doctor to investigate what it may be.

Are you aware that while it's rare to become infected with hiv through giving blowjobs, there are other STIs you can pick up this way. Check out this Aidmap article.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I suppose i am a little ashamed of the incident as i regret this deeply and feel that i have put my relationship in jeopardy.

I still feel anxiety over this incident and have treid to move on and put this behind me, i have not let my partner perform oral sex on me sice this began and we dont have anal sex anymore, because i don't llike it mainaly.

Would it be safe to resume the normal sexual routine?

Sorry about these questions, i just don't want to put my partner at any risk.

Well i went to the GUM clinic here in the UK just to go through all my results, and check my glands.

The Doctor said that my glands were slightly swollen in my groin and neck, both sides.

She also said that she doesn't suspect HIV with the conclusively testing Negative and the fact that i have been stressed.

I think i will go to my GP and see if he can get to the bottom of this!

Still not 100% sure about having another HIV test at the beginning of march, my only sexual activity since i began this nightmarein September 2006 are Oral Sex with My boyfriend - me giving him head and not the other way around, and Mutual Masturbation.

I was reading online about the Window Period for HIV and found this on the aidsmap website.

(A small number of people - probably one in a hundred of those who become infected - take more than two to three months to form antibodies, but it is highly unusual to take more than six months to form antibodies.)

I suppose i have three main questions

1. I was wondering if this 1 in a 100 would be an intravenous drug user or chemotherapy patient?

2. Is that 1 in a 100 statistic accurate?

3. If delayed seroconversion happened would this affect the results of a P24 test as i understand from the lessons that this tests for the Virus itself and not antbodies like an Elisa?

Again i apologise if i have gone about these the wrong way.

Many thanks for all your responses i really appreciate it you all taking the time.

Unless you are on cancer chemotherapy, taking anti-rejection drugs following organ transplant, have been injecting street drugs, every day, for years, you do not need to worry about delayed seroconversion.

I don't know about your p24 question - it is so rare that people take longer than six WEEKS to seroconvert that I don't think there's ever been a case to find out with. Normally, the p24 antigen is only detectable for the first few weeks and then disappears when the antibodies gain in number.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

If the 12/13 testing is conclusive, why would 16 weeks not be conclusive? You are conclusive unless you've had unprotected sex 6 weeks or less before you original test or you have had unprotected sex right after your blood test.

The risk of giving oral, particularly if ejaculation did not occur, is very, very low.

Generally we don't even suggest testing to be necessary. If you have tested negative at more than 13 weeks after that incident then you can rely on that test result.

As far as your current bf is concerned, should you guys decide to dispense with condoms you should only do that if you both test negative together and are confident that you are both committed to a securely monogamous relationship.

I do appreciate all the time you moderators spend on answering all these questions.

I know that the recommended window period is 3 months and that i have tested up to 4 months (All neg HIV Antigen p24 and Antiobody elisa) after a low risk incident, (Unprotected oral max 30 secs - no ejaculation).

What is really confusing is this window period? I know you stick by 3 months as does the UK GUM clinic.

I also know that symptoms are never an indicator of HIV.

However i cant shake this feeling that i need to test out to 6 months (Due to excessive internet surfing and swollen glands and now a rash on the palms of my hands).

I know i am not an IV drug user or a Chemotherapy patient but i read the CDC testing recommendations which state that 97% will test positive by 3 Months and some will need to test out to 6 months.

I have also read the various threads regrding people testing out to quite extensive periods afte the three months and the results being consistantly negative.

I appreciate that there are no guarantees in life all i want to do is put this behind me and move on.

Rash on the hands and/or soles of your feet is one symptom of Syphilis. Which has a 3 month testing window, you should rule that out.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

I already had a full std screen (including Syphillis) just under 3 months from the uprotected oral incident, and this was negative.

I have also checked the rash on my palms against images online, it doesn't look the same however i do appreciate that symptoms can vary in their appearance in individuals. Plus i have had no symptoms of primary infection- again no guarantee.

I think if i test again for HIV i will test for Syphilis as well just to be on the safe side.

My main worry is that perhaps i might be a late seroconvertor. This is primarily because of the 6 month window period issue. I know this is not an issue on this forum and i know that there is differing information out there. However all i want to do is exhaust all avenues where HIV is concearned.

There is no 6 month window. Where does this shit come from?! It is 13 weeks people! 13 WEEKS!

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

The syphilis rash is kind of like pins and needles at least for me. If you apply pressure i want to say yes they sort of disappeared till the blood came back. The syphilis testing window is 3 months. Same as HIV and it wont interfer with an HIV test. So yes your 12 week test is accurate.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

I cant really recall any numbness or hot and cold feeling. I was extrememly fatigued and when I say EXTREMELY i mean i couldnt get on the computer to type like this if I wanted to. As far as transmission of syphilis im not aware of all the ways it works. You can get it from oral sex, and regular sex (counting anal in here) are the two ways I know of for sure. I dont think she(sorry unsure)HE will catch it from your palms as my GF was living with me at the time and we were having protected sex and hand jobs and stuff like that and she never caught it.

« Last Edit: February 02, 2007, 03:12:35 PM by ACinKC »

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

Just one more question on the Syphilis topic, i have never had any sores, can syphillis skip the the primary phase and just show symptoms in the seconday phase only?

Many Thanks Unsure

One thing with syphilis is that someone can go through the primary phase and not really notice it. Usually there is a chancre at the point where the virus enters your body, but again not everyone notices it and it isn't always outside the body, which makes it more difficult. Many times when people notice it, it is when they enter the secondary stage and get the rash. Also, syphilis is called the "great imitator" and can imitate other conditions. Your test at 12 weeks should have covered you. If you are still concerned about syphilis, you can have the doctor do a treponemal test (this actually looks for the organism itself) in addition to the standard screening test (RPR). This test has varying sensitivities depending what stage you are in, but in the primary or secondary stage if you test negative at the proper times then then you are most likely really negative. I do know some doctors who go ahead and order both types of tests to rule it out.

Not sure about what test they do here in the UK at GUM Clinics for an STI screen, however i do remember that they drew blood for this specific test, dont know if that helps. Or does anyone know?

I also think that i had the test just under 12 weeks afer unprotected oral no ejaculation, however like i said i will go and see my GP 1st and then go back to the GUM Clinic as well if i feel it's necessary. I think that's the best course of action.

Well went to my GP and he told me that there seemed nothing unusual on my hands just glanced at them and said no nothings wrong it didn't seem like he was that interested but what do i know i'm not a doctor, however i think i will still take another test for syphils just to be on the safe side.

I know that i dont need to test for HIV again but i think i will go for 6 month test for my own peace of mind. (Still scared though about the result)

I have also told my partner about the inident in July/August 06 and he's being very supportive, which i am very grateful for.

I have also asked to see a counsellor to deal with whatever the underlying issues.

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

This weekend i was at a party and ended up deep kissing a guy who later told me he was HIV+, now i know from the lessons that HIV is not passed on through kissing but i had a sore throat at the time and as far as i am aware there were no open cuts or abrasions in my mouth, but like most people i sometimes have cuts and am not aware of them.

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I have discussed the situation with my partner who has asked me to test over this and has definately brought up old fears.

I just wanted to ask a few more questions.....

With regards to the sore throat this was actually quite bad and my throat was really red and i threw up when i got home as i dont drink very often and cant handle alcohol does this alter any of your responses?

With regards to PEP would this be prescribed at all in this situation as i am still in the 72 hour window ( i dont think so just wanted to be sure)?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

It's been just over 7 weeks since i deep kissed a HIV+ guy and i have had muscle aches in my lower legs for the past 1.5 days and last night i think i had a night sweat. Although i haven't noted a fever.

Also when i had the alleged nightsweat i woke up and then went back to sleep and woke up this morning with no sweating.

My symptoms as they are seem to have vanished today, no leg aches.

I'm trying to take on board that i have not had a risk but this doesn't stop me feeling nervous.

Is over 7 weeks to late for ARS? (Non-risk not withstanding)

Many Thanks

Unsure - who is getting annoyed with himself being nervous about a non-risk

You're just not dealing with the fact that you didn't have a risk. ARS if it happens at all, happens is 2-4 weeks post exposure. Not 6,7, or 8 weeks. It takes an exposure which you didn't have. No exposure, no ARS.